Architect Nishita Kamdar shares her design journey
Armed with passion and innovation, Mumbai-based architect Nishita Kamdar creates unique spaces that tell a fascinating visual story
If architect Nishita Kamdar’s official Instagram account is anything to go by, she is busy receiving awards, attending virtual decor and design launches, giving talks on architecture through Instagram Lives and webinars, while working on a multitude of projects. The 32-year-old, queen of social media says all this is possible because of her fairly regimented life, waking up early and immersing herself in work. At such a young age she has already done 25 projects, specialising in small size spaces—900 sq ft (about Rs 3,700 per sq ft). She is known for creating multi-functional spaces high on utility and sensitive to the requirements of the end user. Not surprisingly, growing up Kamdar always wanted to be an architect, there was never a “Plan B”. She went to Kamla Raheja Vidhyandhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies in Mumbai and did a summer school in Switzerland. Then, worked for renowned architects and firms across the globe including Narendra Dengle and Associate Architects, MOOF, Rast Architekten, LAB Architects and Architecture Brio. She then started Studio Nishita Kamdar in 2014 and has now added a furniture design wing called Pieces of Desire or POD.
1. How would define your design style?
A home needs to be tailormade to its occupants and not driven by trends. It needs to be a collection of the owner’s memories and not a collection of images they have liked or spaces they have just seen in pictures. Hence we don’t stick to one style when we design. Instead, we spend a lot of time with the clients and their family to understand their taste, how they live, socialise, interact, their likes and dislikes, and then try to adapt the space.
2. You have worked with renowned firms do you feel your design is influenced by them?
I have been fortunate to have worked with absolutely incredible offices at the start of my career. I did my thesis The Eyes of the Skin for which I won the prestigious Charles Correa Gold Medal, under the guidance of architect Samira Rathod. I wouldn’t deny the fact that a lot of my design sensibilities are heavily influenced by the all the mentors I have had. I feel the methodologies adapted by each office is what stays behind with
you and is an important learning.
3. As a young firm, any challenges faced?
I practiced as a junior architect for two years before starting Studio Nishita Kamdar. It was simply an urge to be creatively free and express myself. Since then we have faced several rejections when we pitch in for projects, this used to really bog me down, till we studied why this was happening and kept working on making our pitches stronger. Being a complete outsider in this industry with no design background in my family, I had to ensure I had my right network of friends and clientele, one that lifts each other; it is very important to grow together.
4. What projects are you currently working on?
The current range of work includes a lovely architectural project, a bungalow in Bangalore for an NRI; a rustic farmhouse for a couple in Lonavala; an exciting container home in Nashik; a retail store in Kolkata; and an innovative home in Hyderabad (our largest to date). Besides this we are constantly working on creating new products for POD. The coming year is all about carving a niche for our forte and making sure we use local techniques, manpower and materials and make ourselves as home grown as possible.
5. Why start POD?
The last few years I have keenly observed the rapidly changing nature of the design market, its loopholes and demands. I had an increasing urge to fill these gaps with good design affordable to all—and so POD was born (along with my co-founder Veeram Shah). The products are a result of intense and meditative research driven process and at the same time show the term “good design” in a new light.
6. How many projects do you work on at a time?
We are a small studio of four to five people including me, we try to pick up a mixed bag of projects to avoid monotony. From architecture, to residential interiors, commercial interiors and furniture design—we’ve dug our fingers into various small scale design projects. We try to pick up no more than five to six projects at a time so we can do justice to it.